49ers owner Jed York told Jason Cole of B/R at the owners meeting this week that they are “a longs ways away” from giving up on Colin Kaepernick as their starting quarterback, and they do not have any plans to move in a different direction.
Instead, York says they plan to be patient with Kaepernick and the coaching staff wants to see how he handles his current slump, which will ultimately help them determine if he can be their franchise quarterback.
York also stressed the importance of having a solid quarterback in this era of the NFL, and getting the right guy who possesses all the physical tools to be among the best in the league.
Cole adds that even with Kaepernick’s poor play, it’s not going to prevent San Francisco from continuing to work on his development.
Kaepernick told reporters on Wednesday that he’s “not worried about his job security” after he and the team have struggled to open the year.
“I don’t play for job security,” Kaepernick said, via The Sacramento Bee. “Whether football’s here or not, I will be fine. I go out, I play to win. I’m not worried about job security when I step in this building.”
Kaepernick, 27, signed a six year, $114 million extension with the 49ers back in June of last year. However, Kaepernick received just $12,973,766 in full guarantees.
Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com pointed out not too long ago that the 49ers signed QB Kaepernick to a deal that includes a “very team friendly” guarantee structure.
While most quarterbacks who have signed big-money deals in the past few years have injury protected salaries that vest on the third day of the league year, Kaepernick’s vesting guarantees that don’t kick in until April 1 of each year.
San Francisco would save $9.36 million in cap room and $14.3 million in salary if the were to release Kaepernick by April 1 of next year, according to Fitzgerald.
It’s worth mentioning that Kaepernick’s deal does include $61 million in injury protection.
In four games this season, Kaepernick has thrown for 727 yards while completing 62.1 percent of his passes to go along with two touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s also added 195 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 37 quarterback out of 38 qualifying players.
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